The Right HeartSýnishorn

A Responsive Heart

Joseph was a man of righteous character who received the word of the Lord with the right heart. But the story of Joseph gets real when we see his response to what God called him to do. Matthew tells us in a few words how Joseph responded—he woke up and “did as the angel of the Lord commanded.” In other words, Joseph did not just hear the word of the Lord, he acted upon it—immediately. His righteous heart received the instruction and he responded—he did the right thing, against what the world said he had the right to do. 

Righteousness is defined as the obedience we owe to God and the mercy God grants us to grant to others. Joseph was obedient to the word from God through the angel and he took Mary to be his wife. He then showed her the mercy that had been granted to him by not publicly or privately accusing her, but by accepting her and the child she was carrying. 

This reminds us of another Bible character in the Book of Ruth: Boaz. Boaz was described as a “hayil”, which in Hebrew means, “a man of valor or of great character.” We know the story of Boaz as he took responsibility for Naomi, a relative of his whose husband and sons had died, and Naomi’s daughter in law, Ruth, who was also a widow and an outcast. What we see in Boaz is a man who did what was right. He was obedient to God, and he showed mercy on Ruth and subsequently on Naomi. Boaz responded without hesitation to what God said and was abundantly merciful. Sounds like Jesus Christ at the cross who was obedient to God and abundantly merciful to us. When we ask Jesus to be our Savior we find He will act immediately to save us and shower us with grace and mercy.

How did Joseph prepare for the arrival of Jesus? 

1. He had a righteous heart—it is how he was known. How are we known? 
2. He had a receptive heart. Do we take the time to get quiet before God to hear from Him? 
3. He had a responsive heart. Do we act, or do we put off what we know is the right thing to do? 

This Christmas, let us respond as Joseph did—with the right heart to what God is calling us to do. 

How will you prepare to celebrate the birth of the Savior of the World this year? Please look for the 3rd part of the plan, The Right Vision.  

For more resources on spiritual growth—podcasts, study guides, e-booklets, and others—visit http://www.gsot.edu/center. The Grace Center for Spiritual Development at Grace School of Theology provides non-degree studies, live online bible study opportunities, and resources like this devotional.